Hiro woke up early at the guild. Today was an important day—his very first appearance at the Academy of Magic. After a light breakfast, he made his way to its towering walls.

  The massive gates stood wide open.

  “This time I won’t have to climb the wall,” he smirked to himself.

  A guard met him at the entrance. Hiro explained his purpose, and soon he was handed over to a stern man in a formal robe, who simply nodded and led him inside.

  They crossed the academic square—a vast, lively space flooded with sunlight. Students were already hurrying to their classes, and Hiro could feel their curious glances on him. He walked with steady confidence, gaze fixed straight ahead, as if unaffected by the attention.

  At last, they entered the main building. Behind a heavy door awaited a spacious room with tall windows. Standing by the window, hands clasped behind his back, was a bearded, silver-haired man in robes and glasses—the Headmaster, Selveran. His very presence radiated calm authority. At the desk sat another man, younger, dressed in a black jacket and trousers. His sharp gaze was like a blade.

  Hiro stepped forward.

  “I wish to enroll in the Academy.”

  The Headmaster turned, his eyes lingering on the youth’s face before shifting to the man at the desk.

  “Professor Kairat, what do you think?”

  The professor narrowed his eyes. Suddenly, one of them flared red—demonic, piercing. For several moments, he studied Hiro in silence, as though examining not his body, but the power within.

  “Hiro, was it?” the professor finally asked. “Your parents—who were they?”

  “I’m an orphan,” Hiro answered calmly.

  Kairat tilted his head slightly, and the red glow faded.

  “I believe he should be placed in Class Omega-1.”

  Selveran raised his brows.

  “Omega-1? That’s where the academy’s elite are trained. Are you certain?”

  “Yes,” Kairat replied firmly. “His… potential is great.”

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  The Headmaster turned back to Hiro.

  “Very well. But before you are accepted into Omega-1, you must first prove yourself in a duel. The rules are simple: the winner stays, the loser leaves. Your opponent will be Leonard. The duel shall take place today, before noon.”

  He paused, then added in a gentler tone:

  “Afterward, you may tour the Academy and familiarize yourself with its order. As for other matters, I will speak with you later.”

  “Understood,” Hiro replied curtly. His face remained calm, as though he had heard not a challenge, but a simple instruction.

  With the faintest of bows, he left the office, leaving behind a strange silence—as if something far greater than just a boy had passed through the room.

  ---

  At that same time, in the girls’ dormitory.

  Rosaline de Lacour awoke at dawn. The large windows of her chambers welcomed golden sunlight that spread across her carved headboard and velvet covers. Servants entered silently, assisting her with her gown and hair. She was accustomed to this routine, yet her gaze always carried a trace of boredom—as if all of it were duty rather than delight.

  After a light breakfast, Rosaline strolled through the academy gardens. Soon, her closest confidant and right hand in the student council, Anna, joined her. They sat at an elegant table beneath a shaded pavilion, where tea and fresh pastries were served.

  “News from the Academy?” Rosaline asked lazily, nibbling a cookie.

  Anna’s eyes lit up.

  “New students arrive today. They say one of them… is unusual. The girls who’ve already seen him are whispering—that he’s breathtakingly handsome, like a true prince. And the most interesting part? He’s been assigned to Class Omega-1.”

  Rosaline raised a brow slightly and sipped her tea with grace.

  “Omega-1? But that’s my class. And there are no vacant seats.”

  “That’s why a duel has been arranged,” Anna continued. “This afternoon he’ll face your classmate. I believe… Leonard.”

  A predatory smirk curled Rosaline’s lips.

  “The newcomer doesn’t stand a chance.”

  Anna countered cautiously:

  “Don’t forget, President. He was examined by Professor Kairat. With the Demon’s Eye, he rarely makes mistakes. If the boy was placed in Omega-1, then his power must be significant. Perhaps we should watch the duel?”

  Rosaline rolled her eyes.

  “Ah… why not? Today is boring enough as it is.”

  ---

  The dueling arena was housed in a separate wing. An advanced healing sigil of the sixth order glowed upon the floor, ensuring no fatal injuries. On the upper tier, like a balcony, spectators gathered: teachers, students… and Rosaline with Anna.

  Gracefully leaning against the railing, Rosaline looked down. In the center of the arena stood the newcomer.

  “Black gloves, simple clothes… but his face is unshaken,” Rosaline observed aloud. “Far too calm for a first duel.”

  And then he raised his head. Their eyes met. For an instant, irritation pricked Rosaline. She touched her temple, then smiled faintly.

  “Well then. Now he won’t be able to think straight. His mind will be consumed by me. Poor boy.”

  But Hiro simply turned away and faced his opponent again.

  “What?” Rosaline whispered. “He… ignored me?”

  ---

  The duel began. Leonard murmured an incantation, hands weaving sigils with concentration. Hiro stood motionless, not even stirring. After ten seconds, a blazing fireball hurtled toward him.

  “Well, that’s that,” Rosaline said with faint boredom. “Quick and predictable.”

  But in the very next instant, the flames touched Hiro—only to vanish, snuffed out as if they had never existed. Hiro did not move a muscle.

  For the first time, Rosaline blinked in surprise.

  “What was that..?”

  Hiro lifted his hand. Leonard immediately raised a stone wall to shield himself. Yet Hiro spoke no spell. He merely extended two fingers forward—and a torrent of energy blasted forth, shattering both the wall and Leonard, tearing through even the arena’s barrier wall. A thunderous crash echoed through the hall.

  Silence fell over the arena. Students, professors—even Rosaline herself—were struck dumb.

  Slowly, Rosaline lifted her hand to her lips.

  “He didn’t chant… and even if he did, it was faster than humanly possible. And what kind of magic was that? Who is he..?”

  Below, instructors rushed in panic toward the rubble, dragging out a half-conscious Leonard. In haste, they declared Hiro the victor and ordered everyone to disperse.

  But Hiro simply turned and walked out calmly, as though it had been nothing more than a trivial warm-up.

  Rosaline remained at the railing, unable to tear her eyes away from him.